Customer Reviews

Comet

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

If you enjoy the sort of music that is played over digital cable or satellite TV from channels such as Atmospheres or Soundscapes then you'll love Comet by Medwyn Goodall.

I would have to take issue with the official editor review claiming "evoking outer-space themes and apocalyptic cults like Heaven's Gate, whose members committed suicide so they could join a spaceship reputedly linked to the Hale-Bopp comet" as a somewhat shallow and inaccurate review.

To start off while some of the songs have a somewhat foreboding tone to them, I feel that Goodall is attempting to convey what it would be like if you were approaching a comet in space and the possible danger of doing so. Not some sort of weird cult theme music for suicide.

Songs such as Ice Crystals and Behold the Darkness you'd swear were torn right out of this summers Sci-Fi block buster. You can close your eyes and imagine yourself on the bridge of a starship commanding your staff as you approach an alien ship that refuses all hails (cue Ice Crystals).

This album truly is an auditory journey from start to finish covering a outer space adventure.

On a purely musical critique the songs are well arranged, with a diversity of instruments and melodic background vocals. The only track with actual singing is Future Written and would have to be my least favorite.

Listen with headphones for total immersion!

From the farthest limits of the infinite space they come - messengers of unknown stars and wonderful worlds. It seems that they try to bring us some message. What do they bring us: a hope or a menacing omen? And where these restless wanderers will go further on? Comets always have enchanted and surprised people, awaken the imagination and troubled minds. And Medwyn Goodall has turned to namely this topic. This most talented musician keeps on surprising us! He has created such a large number of albums, every one of which is very special, and is not similar to the others. And, at the same time, 1999 was marked by a new turn in the creative work of Goodall - his going to a space-cosmic subject. At first "Millennium", and then "Comet" were released with a small interval. The "Comet" can be named an original continuation of the "Millennium". And at the same time it is quite different. The "Comet" is unexpectable from the very beginning.

It starts with "Future Written" , which is full of romanticism and conciliation, with an unearthly and ethereal-cosmic vocals by Juliana. And you are floating on the waves of this warm sea, sparkling with many-colored lights, and suddenly the melody unexpectedly changes, and other colors appear: enters Cosmos, it fills everything around, and this space begins to widen more and more...

Melodic turns of this kind would be enough for any other musician for a creation of several "normal" compositions. But for Goodall's inspiration this is absolutely unnecessary. Lightly, without effort, he continues his flight, at first softening colors in "Lagoon Nebula" and then intensifying dramatic effect and inner alarm in "Ice Crystals" and "Earth Passing". Further action develops very organically. Soaring, and stretching to the lost worlds like a tracery "bridge" "Starseed" , imposing "Inherit The Stars", being worthy musical "brush" of Vangelis, only intensifying an interest to the inspired journey of Goodall, and intriguing, bringing trouble "Behold The Darkness" foreboding fast outcome. And it comes in "Twin Moons". And this composition suddenly happens to be very light on its mood. It contains something naked and piercing, a sound of something very high and beautiful. And concluding compositions "Stargate" plus a shortened version of "Future Written" (o magical vocals of Juliana!) as an afterword, elegant touch of the Master, delight for the listener.

I need to say, that "Comet" is an album with classical structure, it is compositionally constructed and completed, its music contains an epic origin. Music by Medwyn Goodall is very opened, it is open wide and broadness. At the same time, still it is more Earthly one. The Earthly origin prevails in this music with all the cosmic nature of its sound. This a look at the Cosmos by an earthly man, born on this small planet, third from the Sun. Though, who knows... Maybe this is a firstly-born elf is longing for his cosmic Motherland, and is gazing into a sky, filled with stars, trying to find this very star...

Our story about the album by Medwyn Goodall will be not complete, if we will not say, that the musician masterly plays parts on various instruments: classical guitar, piano, oboe, flute and on many others both living and computer instruments. He has recorded "Comet" in his home studio.

Listen to "Comet". This is a completely new and fresh sample of a timeless music, a melody of Love and Eternity.

Serge Kozlovsky
[...]

My first MG purchase was "Essence of Magic" (my review also here on Amazon), which I really like. So, the cover of "Comet" grabbed my eye and being a listener of spacey New Age - although not overly dark - I checked out the samples and liked what I heard and bought the download. This album is every bit as wonderful as the 30-second samples suggested and I place this title slightly above "Essence of Magic". Goodall covers a range on this album from gentle, emotionally-involving pieces like the first & last tracks, and ventures a bit into Jonn Serrie territory ("Inherit The Stars", "Stargate"), but the best pieces here are the soundtrack-like songs such as "Behold The Darkness" and "Starseed", and it all flows together in an extremely satisfying matter, like watching a really good movie. With all the music coming out these days, you sometimes have to look long & hard to find music that taps into your soul and puts you in a state of mind you can't achieve any other way. For me, this music is one of those rare releases. Thank you, Mr. Goodall!

Comet is a good album. I was first made aware of this piece of work when I heard "Lagoon Nebula" on a satellite music channel--the same going for "Inherit the Stars." Medwyn Goodall is a talented artist, and Comet (released in 1999) displays rich, airy, and mysterious-sounding characteristics. Also, this album is based on outer space. Goodall uses instruments such as the classical guitar, flute, oboe, and synthesizer to pleasing effect. All of the compositions are well written--there are ten of them. Two versions of "Future Written" are included; the original version--the one that I prefer--is almost nine minutes, and the single version is almost four minutes. In addition, both versions feature female vocals. "Stargate" is a CD bonus track. The album's sound quality is also nice. "Future Written" "Lagoon Nebula," and "Inherit the Stars" are the pieces that I consider to be my favorites. "Future Written" is a pretty one with smooth, captivating female backing vocals and attractive classical guitar and woodwind playing. The intriguing "Lagoon Nebula" exhibits a memorable synthesizer melody with an alluring, curious timbre; also, the woodwind work is pleasing. "Inherit the Stars" furnishes a gratifying synthesizer melody that has an odd, bubbly-sounding timbre. The disc is just over 56 minutes. Comet is recommendable.

Medwyn truly is great. Unbeleivable music. If you have the Music Choice channels then check "soundscapes"(channel 733) on Time Warner. You may hear some of his best work. The first I heard of his was from this album..."Earth Passing". Beautifull song! Medwyn, great job my man, if your reading this. Another personal favorite I think you'll find spectacular is the first track "Future Written", Juliana, the singer in this song, bearth taking. The best way to describe this younge woman, the voice of an angel. I have no other words to describe such a voice. I wish I were poet. Love ya Juliana(*wink*). I can garenty anyone who loves both the New Age music or Soundscapes like I love it will enjoy such a buy. Trust me, I'm obsessed with great music like this. Go for it, you've nothing to lose with this cd. "There is also a message of hope and love. Immensely creative and atmospheric, Comet is a powerful journey through light and darkness!!" get it, you don't know what your missing!

Could care less about the vocals on tracks 1 and 10. Otherwise excellent.